One of the outstanding producers of Washington wines based in Walla Walla, Gramercy Cellars was founded by master sommelier, Greg Harrington. The program focused on Rhone style wines initially but has been making some top class Bordeaux style wines in the past five or so years. They have been making what I consider to be one of the top Rose wines in North America over the past several years. Greg works closely with partner and co-winemaker, Brandon Moss, in crafting minimal intervention wines that are sourced from some of the great vineyards in the state.
The new Gramercy Cellars lineup was truly outstanding. The 2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose (OB, 93) is one of the best Rose wines in North America I have sampled in the past year. The wine has crazy good finesse, range, viscosity and texture. This is a must-buy for any serious Rose lover. I was enamored by the 2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis Reserve’ Syrah (OB, 95) is entirely sourced from the Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. This is herbal, smoky and savory Syrah that is highly nuanced and very Cote Rotie. Learn more about this fantastic new lineup at gramercycellars.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gramercy Cellars and the superstar winemaking team of Greg Harrington, MS and Brandon Moss.
2020 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul- The 2020 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul shows off a soft and inviting texture with layers of brioche and buttercream that mingle with honeydew melon and kumquat accents on the palate. The sense of minerality is outstanding, as this novel Washington white wine is a perfect foil for fresh Kussshi oysters. Drink 2021-2026- 92
2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose- Rich, beautifully textured and every bit outstanding, the 2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose is a silky blend of 50% Cinsault, 26% Grenache and 24% Syrah all sourced from the ‘Olsen Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley. Pretty red raspberry and Bing cherry tones mingle with guava, orange zest and damp earthy tones on the nose. The palate is soft, round and very inviting. Silky and elegant, the palate delivers red rose water, stony minerals and a wealth of red fruits, with suggestions of wild mushroom. The long finish adds to the enjoyment. Sensational now, this has some good aging potential. Drink 2021-2026- 93
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon might be declassified fruit but this packs a serious punch with its ripe red and dark fruits, as well as chocolate tones. Showing a soft mouthfeel, and showing plenty of finesse, this delicious and excellent value wine will deliver drinking enjoyment for the next eight plus years. Drink 2021-2028- 91
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Gramercy Estates’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Gramercy Estates’ is a Merlot based wine that has been an awesome edition to their lineup. A whiff of bell pepper entices as ripe red and dark fruits collide with damp earthy tones and chocolate on the nose. The p[alate is silky and elegant with a great sense of texture and seamless experience mid-palate. The combination of minerality, dark fruits and earthy tones all mingle brilliantly together. Gorgeous in its youth, this will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful and elegant wine that will have some serious aging potential. Once on the nose this takes on layers of dark fruits and exotic spices with chocolate, sagebrush and tar undertones. The palate is plush and very elegant with silky tannins that frame the wine. The generous texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2035- 93
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A masterpiece by Brandon Moss and Greg Harrington, MS, the 2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon combines fruit from the Sagemoor and Phinny Hill Vineyards. The wine is silky and seamless, not big or brooding, just very Left Bank while obviously being Washington. Ripe dark currants and blackberry tones mingle with coffee grounds, sandalwood and dark chocolate shavings catch your eye, with firm tannins holding everything in place on the palate. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this a two hour decant. Drink 2021-2038- 94
2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘The Third Man’ Grenache- The 2018 ‘The Third Man’ combines 75% Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvedre. The nose is very pretty with its red rose petal tones that mingle with red currants, orange rind, damp earth and stony undertones. The palate is very soft and round with a seamless texture. Bright red fruits collide with shades of Hoisin sauce, white pepper and smoky undertones. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘L’Idiot du Village’ Mourvedre- The 2018 ‘L’Idiot du Village’ Mourvedre is another beautiful new release by the talented winemaking team at Gramercy Cellars. The intense smoky tones really impress aromatically with a great core of dark fruits and white pepper accents rounding out this outstanding bouquet. The palate is fresh, vibrant and beautifully textured. Ripe red cherry and black raspberry flavors mingle with smoked pork shoulder, Mandarin orange rind and coffee grounds on the palate. This shows excellent length and viscosity, as this great new Mourvedre will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah is a beautiful new wine that shows a great stony edge. Wet stone and green peppercorns mingle with charcuterie and a dusting of white pepper on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, with a silky texture, enjoy this great new Syrah over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2029- 93
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from one of the hallowed sites in the Yakima Valley, this very pretty Syrah shows iodine and blood orange zest tones that mingle with a great core of red fruits on this great bouquet. The palate is very fresh with a great air of finesse. Ripe red currants and red cherry flavors mingle with tobacco leaf, orange zest and damp earthy tones on the palate. Delightful to savor in its youth, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 93
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah shows great aromatic range from bulls blood to wet stone and dried herbs alongside a good wall of red and dark fruits. The palate has outstanding verve, with a silk texture. Ripe red fruits mingle with minerals, smoke, garrigue and stony undertones on the palate. Great to savor now, this terroir-driven Syrah has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis’ Syrah- Singular, and truly something special, the 2017 ‘John Lewis’ Syrah is a sensational effort by Gramercy Cellars. The aromatic range is fantastic from Hoisin sauce to seaweed and damp stones, alongside huckleberry and suggestions of menthol that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows a dazzling sense of minerality, with serious tension. Layers of ripe red and dark fruits mingle with minerals, wet stone, dried herbs and soy sauce. Gobs of mouth-watering acidity and a seamless texture add to the enjoyment. Gorgeous now, be sure to give this beauty a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2036- 95